isolation
isolation — noun
1. a state in which a person is entirely by themselves, often causing sadness or di
a state in which a person is entirely by themselves, often causing sadness or distress because they lack social contact or companionship
After moving to a new city, Lien felt a deep sense of isolation because she knew no one there.
collocation: sense of isolation
The isolation of living alone in a remote area caused Mateo to feel very lonely.
noun phrase: the isolation of [gerund]
Older people sometimes experience social isolation after their friends move away.
collocation: social isolation
When her children grew up and left home, the house felt empty and the isolation was hard to bear.
New parents of a baby with a rare illness often face unexpected isolation from friends and family.
- sense of isolation
- social isolation
- deep isolation
- feel isolation
- experience isolation
- loneliness
focuses on the emotional pain of being alone, not just the physical state
- seclusion
suggests a deliberate choice to withdraw from others, often for privacy
- solitude
positive, chosen state of being alone, associated with peace and reflection
- company
the presence of other people
- companionship
friendly social connection with others
Usage Note
Often paired with the adjective 'social' to describe a lack of community contact. The phrase 'sense of isolation' emphasises the subjective emotional experience.
Common Mistakes
2. the practice of keeping a person who has a contagious illness away from others i
the practice of keeping a person who has a contagious illness away from others in order to stop an infection from spreading
The patient was placed in isolation for ten days to prevent further spread of the virus.
passive: placed in isolation
Hospitals keep protective equipment ready outside the isolation rooms for doctors and nurses.
collocation: isolation rooms
During the outbreak, health workers followed strict isolation rules to protect themselves.
collocation: isolation rules
The nurse checked on the patient in the isolation ward every four hours throughout the night.
collocation: isolation ward
A two-week isolation period is standard for people arriving from regions with active outbreaks.
collocation: isolation period
- isolation ward
- isolation room
- isolation period
- placed in isolation
- strict isolation
- quarantine
specifically refers to restricting movement of people possibly exposed to disease, usually for a set time
- segregation
broader term for separating groups; less medical, more social or political
- exposure
being in contact with others (and potentially with infections)
Usage Note
Commonly found as a modifier in compound nouns: 'isolation ward', 'isolation room', 'isolation period'. The phrase 'in isolation' is the standard way to describe the state.
3. a form of punishment in which a prisoner is kept alone in a locked cell, separat
a form of punishment in which a prisoner is kept alone in a locked cell, separated from all other inmates
The prisoner was put in isolation after trying to start a fight in the prison yard.
passive: put in isolation (prison context)
A long period of isolation in a small cell can cause serious harm to a prisoner's mental health.
noun phrase: period of isolation
The judge reviewed how many months the inmate had spent in isolation before making a decision.
Human rights groups argue that long-term isolation in prison amounts to cruel punishment.
The warden decided to shorten the inmate's isolation because of his young age.
- solitary isolation
- isolation cell
- in isolation
- spend time in isolation
- put in isolation
- solitary confinement
the official legal term for this punishment
- seclusion
a general term; in prison contexts, 'seclusion' is sometimes used as a milder alternative to 'isolation'
Usage Note
Often called 'solitary confinement' in legal and prison contexts. 'Isolation' in this sense is a less formal alternative.
4. a condition in which one element, factor, or issue is considered apart from othe
a condition in which one element, factor, or issue is considered apart from others and not treated as connected to them
You cannot understand the problem if you study each factor in isolation from the others.
phrase: in isolation from
The researchers examined the chemical's effects in isolation, without mixing it with anything else.
adverbial: in isolation
Aylin tested each chemical in isolation before mixing them together in the experiment.
adverbial: in isolation (scientific testing context)
Ezra argued that no single cause exists in isolation — every event has many roots.
When you study a culture in isolation, you miss how it has been shaped by outside influences.
- in isolation from
- view in isolation
- consider in isolation
- examine in isolation
- study in isolation
- separateness
a more direct synonym; less common in formal writing
- detachment
suggests deliberate removal from context; slightly more formal
- integration
the combination of elements into a connected whole
- interdependence
a state in which things rely on each other
Usage Note
Most commonly used in the fixed phrase 'in isolation (from)'. The subject is usually an abstract concept or a process, not a person.
Common Mistakes
5. a strength-training movement that targets only one specific muscle group at a ti
a strength-training movement that targets only one specific muscle group at a time, rather than engaging multiple muscle groups together
Léa added isolation exercises to her gym routine to strengthen her shoulder muscles.
collocation: isolation exercises
Bicep curls are a classic isolation move that works only your arm muscles, unlike push-ups.
A good training plan mixes isolation movements with compound exercises for the whole body.
collocation: isolation movements
The personal trainer showed Christopher three isolation exercises for the back muscles.
Leg extensions are an isolation exercise that targets only the front thigh muscles.
- isolation exercise
- isolation movement
- do isolation exercises
- isolation routine
- single-joint exercise
the technical fitness term, emphasising the joint rather than the muscle
- targeted exercise
a broader term that can include both isolation and non-isolation movements
- compound exercise
a movement that works multiple muscle groups at once, such as a squat or bench press
Usage Note
In fitness contexts, 'isolation' can be used as a modifier ('isolation exercise', 'isolation movement'). The opposite is a 'compound exercise' (e.g., a squat or deadlift). Also called a 'single-joint exercise'.
6. a neutral condition in which a person, group, or thing exists physically or soci
a neutral condition in which a person, group, or thing exists physically or socially apart from others, without necessarily involving emotional distress
The small island's physical isolation allowed its unique wildlife to develop over centuries.
collocation: physical isolation
The country's political isolation from its neighbours made international trade very difficult.
collocation: political isolation
Hyun studied the plant species in its natural isolation on the remote mountain slope.
The village's geographic isolation meant that the nearest hospital was three hours away.
collocation: geographic isolation
Sahil wrote about the cultural isolation of immigrant communities in large modern cities.
collocation: cultural isolation
- physical isolation
- political isolation
- geographic isolation
- cultural isolation
- remoteness
focuses on physical distance from populated areas
- seclusion
suggests being hidden or removed from view, often by choice
- integration
the process of joining or mixing with others
- connection
a link or relationship with other people or things
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1 (LONELINESS): this sense is emotionally neutral and often describes physical or political separation. Use adjectives like 'geographic', 'political', or 'physical' to clarify.
Common Mistakes
❌ 'The village's isolation made the people sad.' — if the speaker wants to describe sadness, use sense 1 (LONELINESS); this sense (APARTNESS) is neutral and could apply even if the villagers are happy.
7. in psychology, a mental process in which a person keeps distressing thoughts or
in psychology, a mental process in which a person keeps distressing thoughts or memories separate from the emotions that would normally accompany them, as a way of protecting themselves
In therapy, Tariro came to understand that his emotional isolation was a way of protecting himself.
collocation: emotional isolation (psychological)
The psychologist explained how isolation as a defense mechanism can block healing after trauma.
noun phrase: isolation as a defense mechanism
Sivan's tendency toward emotional isolation made it hard for her to express sadness or anger.
Children who experience loss sometimes develop isolation as a way to cope with painful feelings.
The patient's use of isolation meant he could describe a difficult event without feeling any emotion.
- emotional isolation
- psychological isolation
- isolation as a defense mechanism
- cognitive isolation
- compartmentalization
a related but broader concept; the act of separating different parts of one's life or thoughts
- suppression
a conscious effort to push away unwanted thoughts, while isolation is unconscious
- integration
the healthy process of connecting thoughts with their related emotions
Usage Note
This is a technical term in Freudian and post-Freudian psychology. It differs from everyday 'isolation' in that it describes an unconscious mental process, not a physical or social condition.
Common Mistakes
Considered or done separately from other things or people.
The scientist studied the virus in isolation from other germs.
Can you understand this sentence in isolation without the full story?
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
All four words describe being alone, but they differ in feeling and intent. 'Isolation' is the broadest term and can be forced or circumstantial, often with a negative emotional tone — it is a state someone is placed in, not usually one they choose. 'Loneliness' is specifically the painful emotional response to a lack of social connection; you can feel lonely even in a crowd. 'Solitude' is a positive, chosen state — a person who seeks solitude wants time alone for peace or reflection. 'Seclusion' implies hiding or withdrawing from others, often for privacy or safety. For example: 'After his quarantine ended, the patient felt loneliness but also enjoyed moments of solitude in the garden.'
Common collocations
Nouns
- sense of isolation
- feeling of isolation
- period of isolation
- state of isolation
- life of isolation
Adverbs
- completely
- socially
- politically
- physically
- geographically
- relatively
Phrases
- in isolation
- in isolation from
- keep someone in isolation
- live in isolation
- placed in isolation
Prepositions
- in isolation
- in isolation from
Etymology
The word 'isolation' entered English in the mid-1800s from French 'isolation', which came from the Italian verb 'isolare' (to isolate). The Italian word traces back to Latin 'insula', meaning 'island' — so the root idea is 'making something like an island, cut off from everything else.'